I know there's an election when I start seeing ads trying to get you to vote for a specific candidate. Right now, they are at a fever pitch because we have one starting today. (The primary Election day is Tuesday, June 22, 2021 but there's an early voting period which is June 12, 2021 — June 20, 2021.)

Last night the North of 25A Book Group hosted a Zoom discussion with Pulitzer Prize winning author Dave Barry.   Our group had read his wonderful, humorous and poignant  2019 book, Lessons From Lucy.  Lucy is his dog :)   Having been turned around/converted about dogs 8 years ago by the advent of my beloved Charcoal, the book resonated especially for me, eg, when she knows we’re about to go for a walk she first wants to play “keep away”.

We were on Zoom waiting for the other members of New York Health and Longevity to join the meeting. I asked fellow Gothamite Janet Sullivan how she was doing.She answered that she was okay but with the reservation that she was doing as well as could be expected given the stress that we have all been under for over a year.

Every year, the lady crew heads out for a golf trip down the shore. We select a few courses we don’t play often and set up a scramble, or a shamble. Usually teams with the highest index and the lowest are mixed together, along with the oldest and the youngest. It makes for a great time, good conversation, and learning new approach shots. With COVID sunsetting (hopefully) we chose to stay together at a friends in Ocean City, NJ. 17 women in 1 house. Can you imagine the laughter? Can you hear the music? The talks? The hugs? The support?

  We are beach people. Just getting to the beach and spending a few hours listening to the soft sounds of the water makes a world of difference.

Last week I took a day to work from home in the morning as I had my annual check-up scheduled in the early afternoon. After my check-up (which went fine), I took some time to do some local errands.    

My wife “retired” just before the winter. Around that same time my work schedule, pandemic and all, picked up and I found a need for some assistance. I often could not get away to check my box at the post office, get to the bank or even during my afternoon, address some of the yard work. I cannot complain about being busy. My mantra remains to help others and make a difference.

(Yes, this is a true story) In a neighborhood in Jackson, Mississippi, people are finding bowls of mashed potatoes on their cars, porches and mailboxes.   It was reported that some residents fear there's a more sinister message behind the potatoes.